In need of a computer...

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:44 pm

So I'm thinking that after 30 some odd dives, it's time to finally get myself a computer. I've looked around some, and I think what I really want is something fairly basic, I'd prefer something without a huge amount of bells and whistles that I won't use. If anybody can recommend a basic computer that still has the following, that'd be great!

- Nitrox
- Has guage mode
- Dispalys average depth
- Has a backlight
- Water or depth activation ( I keep forgeting to start my watch ](*,) )

That's really about it. Honestly if I could find a bottom timer for cheap enough that recorded my average depth, I'd probably just dive that, but it seems like I can get a full on nitrox computer for about $50 more than an UWATEC bottom timer.

Anybody have a good recomendation? Thanks!

Jake

dsteding · Post by **dsteding** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:54 pm

The Suunto Vyper is a nice computer, I think the Gekko is the same without the downloadable option . . . and is therefore a bit cheaper.

I agree with you, I wish the Uwatec bottom timers were closer to $100 rather than $200.

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:26 pm

I like the Sherwood Insight. It is more liberal than Suuntos.

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:41 pm

I didn't know sherwood made a computer. It looks like the Profile is more of what I was lookig for. Do you know if it does Guage mode and average depth?

dsteding · Post by **dsteding** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:48 pm

If all you want is gauge mode and average depth, another option is the Suunto D3, I know a lot of the depth-averaging, non-computer using, deco-incurring types around here use those as simple bottom timers.

Joshua Smith · Post by **Joshua Smith** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:21 pm

I have a Cobra with about 50 dives on it I'd be willing to make a pretty sweet deal on. PM me if you're interested. Like PinkPadiGirl said- the Suunto is pretty darn conservative- too much so for me, but it's a good computer in all other respects.

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:23 pm

Thanks Doug,

I had seen those. But they seem really expensive for what you get. They don't seem to give you much more that an UWATEC, and thy're a lot more expensive. For what they want for one of those I could get close to a Cochran EMC-14, or a Veo180nx or something. The search continues...

Jake

dsteding · Post by **dsteding** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:36 pm

Yeah, you are right there.

Another option could be the Dive Rite Nitek Plus, the watch-style one. I think it has gauge mode, and is around $300.

Saw a special posted on TDS re Nitek computers for $175, but it doesn't have gauge mode:

http://www.divesports.com/mall/diverite ... mputer.asp

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:40 pm

The Sherwood Insight is the new version of the Profile. There is a great write up in November's Scuba Diving magazine. It hasn't been published on-line yet.

According to John Brumm, the writer of the article, he states..."For recreational divers who like simplicity, and who don't mind clicking between 3 screens to get their dive date, this is a nice computer..."

They also reviewed the Mares M2 RGBM, which I like a lot but it hasn't been released yet. I will have it as soon as it comes out. The price is right on this computer too...$299!!!

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:04 pm

Amy,

From what I saw on the Sherwood website it looks like the Insight is more of an AI, do everything computer than the Profile, which looks more like a competitor with Oceanic's Veo series computers.

http://www.sherwoodscuba.com/wisdom.html

Is there any data anywhere on the Mares? Will they be adding a bunch of conservatism to the RGBM algorithms as Suunto did? I'm not in any hurry, so I can wait a while if some of the newer offerings are gonna get me a little more bang for my buck. Thanks for all your help!

Jake

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:18 pm

The date I have for the Mares computer is March 07. I will have confirmation next week.

The M2 is pretty conservative, but not as much as the Suunto.

I like that it uses 2 AA batteries and you can change the batteries yourself.

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:26 pm

Yeah, that is nice. I was looking at the M1, seems like the M1 even has a lot of what I was looking for. I'll have to look into what kind of improvements the M2 will give me. Thanks Again Amy for your help.

Jake

CaptnJack · Post by **CaptnJack** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:45 pm

Uwatec Aladin Tec (name is changing to G3)

- Nitrox
Yup

- Has guage mode
yes with nifty stopwatch that is key for doing accurate stops

- Dispalys average depth
one of the few

- Has a backlight
yes

- Water or depth activation
yes

About $375.

I have no idea how liberal or conservative the computer functions are, although they are adjustable. Mine is exclusively in gauge mode.

Get a deep sea supply (bungie) boot to go with it for ~$15 and you are set

Richard

Tangfish · Post by **Tangfish** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:58 pm

Oceanic Veo 250 is a nice little unit and does Nitrox.

Northwest Dive Club

In need of a computer...

In need of a computer...

Sherwoods